The Grand County High School girls basketball team went 1-1 last week, losing a close contest at home to region rival San Juan on Tuesday, Feb. 4 and defeating Altamont on the road in a non-region contest two nights later.

Against San Juan, the Lady Devils had a two-point lead and were shooting two free throws with 30 seconds left in the game, but were outscored 5-0 from that point on, as San Juan hit a crucial 3-pointer with eight seconds remaining and ended up winning 49-46.

“We just couldn’t seem to finish,” said GCHS head coach Tony Chacon. “We had a 10-point lead two different times in the game, but we just didn’t have the energy we needed at the end.”

“We put them at the free throw line and they made their free throws, but we didn’t hit enough of ours,” Chacon added, noting that the Lady Devils were 13 for 29 in free throw attempts during the contest. San Juan, meanwhile, made 20 of their 36 free throw attempts, including several in the fourth quarter.

Senior Alena Geiser, who led the Lady Devils in scoring with 13 points, fouled out of the game late in the fourth quarter.

“Our defense just kind of broke down after that,” Chacon said.

Grand had jumped out to a 14-6 lead in the first quarter against the Lady Broncos, but San Juan managed to cut Grand’s lead to one point, 33-32, as the third quarter ended.

Even after San Juan swished the go-ahead 3-pointer with eight seconds left, Grand had a chance for a final shot to win the game. With no time outs left, the Lady Devils inbounded the ball and quickly moved it downcourt to junior Sadie Hansen, who got off a baseline shot that hit the back rim with less than two seconds left. San Juan rebounded the ball and was fouled with less than a second left. The Lady Broncos made both free throws to end the game with a three-point win.

Hansen finished with eight points and a team-high 10 rebounds. Shailee Croasmun, who was nursing an injured hand, finished with seven points, as did Symony Call. Talaunee Croasmun added six points.

“It was a tough loss, but I didn’t get after the girls after the game,” Chacon said. “We just need to move forward. We need to take care of business earlier in the game and not get in foul trouble.”

Against Altamont on Thursday, Feb. 6, the Lady Devils played without either of the Croasmun sisters, who were recovering from injuries. That didn’t stop Grand from jumping out to a 32-6 lead at the half and coasting to a 45-16 victory.

“We played tough defense the whole game, and everyone on the bench played and contributed,” Chacon said. “It was a great team effort.”

This week, the Lady Devils (12-6 overall, 3-4 in region play) are scheduled to play their final three regular season contests. On Tuesday, Feb. 11, Grand was scheduled to play at Emery (16-3 overall, 8-0 in region). Then, on Friday, Feb. 14, the Lady Devils are scheduled to play at home vs. South Sevier (12-7, 6-2), followed by a game against North Sevier (9-7, 3-4) the following evening, also at Moab.

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